Factors Affecting Reproductive Performance (Estrus Detection)

Question 1

SR

Answer 1

Heat expression by cows, and its detection by herd persons → Improving SR is the most important

Question 2

The Primary “Sure” sign in Estrus Detection is …

Answer 2

the Standing behavior

Question 3

Standing behavior occurs …. times during the estrus period

Answer 3

20 to 55

Question 4

Each mount in Standing behavior lasts for ..

Answer 4

5 sec

Question 5

Standing behavior should be seen

Answer 5

Twice in 30 min Or, Once + secondary signs

Question 6

Secondary esrtous Signs

Answer 6

1. SAG (sexually active group)
2. Ruffled tailhead + rear of the animal may be soiled with mud
3. Vocalization(bawling)
4. Smelling and& licking the perineum of other cows
5. Clear mucus discharge coming from vulva
6. Moistness ad redness of vulva
7. Frequent urination
8. Mounting other cows
9. Restlessness and increased activity (2-3 times more active)
10. Spending less time resting an & ruminating
11. Reduced milk yield and appetite
12. When she has access to the bull, the two animals lick each other, and the cow often mounts the bull before she stands to be mounted-by him
13. Bloody mucus (metestrus bleeding)

Question 7

Why Secondary Signs are not surable?

Answer 7

It can appears in proestrus, estrus, metestrus

Question 8

Bloody mucus (metestrus bleeding)

Answer 8

It’s not a sign of heat it indicates that the cow was in heat and doesn’t mean that she failed to conceive

Question 9

Estrus Detection Aids

Answer 9

Any aid must be regarded as no more than a supplement

No Substitute for Visual Observation

1. Mount detectors
2. Activity monitors
3. Progesterone assay (Milk progesterone test)

Question 10

Mount detectors

Answer 10

Tailhead Painting

Mechanical Patches

Electronic mount detectors (telemetric system)

Detector animals

Question 11

Tailhead Painting

Answer 11

A strip of calk or paint is applied in the midline over the sacrum and base tail, It’s inexpensive and large group of cow can be marked in short time

Question 12

Mechanical Patches

Answer 12

Capsules : Kamar patch - Bulling Beacon

Self-adhesive patch, Estrotect and Estrus Alert

Question 13

Electronic mount detectors (telemetric system)

Answer 13

Heat Watch system

External or implantable pressure sensors provide continuous information on mounting activity

Question 14

Detector animals

Answer 14

• Teaser animals are those showing interest in an estrous cow
• Effective way
• More effective with a marking device or used with tailhead marking

Question 15

Teaser animals can be

Answer 15

Modified bulls (vasectomized or penis deflected), or cows or steers treated with testosterone

Question 16

Activity monitors

Answer 16

• Cows are more active during estrus
• They are attached to one hind leg (for walking activity), or neck collar (for head and neck movement)
• Mostly telemetric system

Question 17

Mostly telemetric system

Answer 17

Activity monitors

Question 18

….. is a good indicator by Milk progesterone test of coming estrus

Answer 18

Low blood & milkP4 at the end of the luteal phase

Question 19

Automated system … measures progesterone concentration at every milking is available

Answer 19

(Herd Navigator TM)

Question 20

Milk progesterone will be high in ….

Answer 20

diestrus

Question 21

Milk progesterone test

Answer 21

• Low blood & milkP4 at the end of the luteal phase is a good indicator of coming estrus
• Automated system (Herd Navigator TM) measures progesterone concentration at every milking is available
• Milk progesterone will be high in diestrus

Other uses
1. pregnancy diagnosis
2. detecting embryo losses
3. ovarian cysts

Question 22

Heat Detection Errors

Answer 22

1. 10—15% of cows presented for AI are not in heat (Luteal phase)
2. 15% Of cows presented for AI at times not optimal for conception
3. The cow is in estrus but not detected

Question 23

The main reasons for Heat Detection Errors are

Answer 23

1. Incorrect identification of animals that are in estrus (clear ID)
2. Failure to appreciate the true signs of estrus (assigning trained persons)

Question 24

Cows will not exhibit many signs of estrus in some situations

Answer 24

1. Crowded situation
2. During feeding
3. Milking
4. Extreme weather
5. Being tied
6. Kept on slippery or muddy floors

Question 25

.... allow cows to interact

Answer 25

Loose housing systems and pasture

Question 26

To feel safe when mount or being mounted

Answer 26

Good footing surface

Question 27

.... is better than concrete floor (more slippery)

Answer 27

A dirt floor

Question 28

Time and Frequency of Observation

Answer 28

More signs of estrus occur during night (This explains why visual heat detector efficiency usually low) Watch cows at least 3 times a day, 30 minutes each (8.00 am, 2.00 and 9.00 pm)

Question 29

More signs of estrus occur during ...

Answer 29

night

Question 30

How Lameness predisposes cows to anestrus

Answer 30

1. Lame cows → low Fl → weight loss → NEB esp. during early lactation 2.Pain

Question 31

Feet and leg problems should be minimized by ...

Answer 31

trimming hoofs periodically and treating infected feet

Question 32

The duration and intensity of estrus increase as the ..

Answer 32

number of animals in the sexually active group (SAG) increases

Question 33

.... will concentrate staff effort of estrus detection

Answer 33

Grouping cows according to calving dates

Question 34

How Can I increase the size of SAG?

Answer 34

By grouping cows according to calving dates